St. George Illawarra Dragons
26
Match Complete
Canberra Raiders
36
| 73 |  | J. Croker | ||
| 71 |  | S. Kris | ||
| M. Ravalawa | | 63 | ||
| Z. Lomax | | 62 | ||
| Z. Lomax | | 61 | ||
| Z. Lomax | | 57 | ||
| M. Ravalawa | | 56 | ||
| 49 | | J. Croker | ||
| 48 | | M. Timoko | ||
| Z. Lomax | | 41 | ||
| 40 | | J. Croker | ||
| 39 | | M. Frawley | ||
| Z. Lomax | | 34 | ||
| M. Ravalawa | | 33 | ||
| 27 | | J. Croker | ||
| 25 | | M. Timoko | ||
| 18 | | J. Croker | ||
| 16 | | J. Tapine | ||
| 10 | | J. Croker | ||
| 8 | | J. Rapana |
| 5 | Tries | 6 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 6 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Round 19 of the NRL premiership continues tonight when the St George Illawarra Dragons take on the Canberra Raiders at WIN Stadium in Wollongong. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8.00pm (AEST).
We’ve reached the last Origin-affected round of the year. From here, it’s the run down hill to the finals. Whilst the Dragons kissed goodbye to the season many weeks ago, the Raiders can ill afford a slip up in this fixture.
The Dragons were ordinary in their 52-16 loss to the Sharks last start. They were in the game for the first 20 minutes but, once Cronulla started to find holes in the defensive line, the game was as good as over.
Ben Hunt will miss this game through Origin duties and, to be honest, that may not be such a bad thing. The media circus surrounding Hunt is set to continue but the Dragons themselves won’t need to be involved this week.
In team changes, Tyrell Sloan is out with a calf injury and replaced by Paul Turner. Moses Suli returns in the centres after a concussion. Jayden Sullivan moves to half back and Talatau Amone will play 5/8th. Daniel Russell plays off the bench in his NRL debut.
Canberra have won four of their last five games and are flying under the radar in 5th spot. They seem a world away from the Jack Wighton drama and have become adept at winning the close games, absolutely essential with a congested ladder.
The Raiders’ strength is in their pack. From their control of the ruck, Jamal Fogarty and Jack Wighton can create chances for a powerful backline. It is not always pretty, but it is highly effective.
Corey Horsburgh is missing with Origin. Ata Mariota moves from prop to lock and Emre Guler will start in the front row. Pasami Saulo is out through concussion protocols and Trey Mooney takes his place. Peter Hola joins the bench.
Prediction
I’m expecting the Dragons to put on a much improved performance tonight. However, the Raiders simply have too much to play for and should win. Raiders by 12
Game information
Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Kick-off: 8:00pm (AEST)
TV: Nine, Fox Sports
Streaming: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Odds: Dragons $3.50 Raiders $1.30 – odds via PlayUp
Dragons: 1. Paul Turner 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Ben Murdoch-Masila 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Moses Mbye 15. Michael Molo 16. Toby Couchman 17. Dan Russell 18. Sione Finau 19. Ryan Couchman 20. Zane Musgrove 21. Max Feagai 22. Billy Burns
Raiders: 1. Sebastian Kris 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Emre Guler 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Ata Mariota 14. Tom Starling 15. Trey Mooney 16. Nick Cotric 17. Peter Hola 18. Matt Frawley 19. Danny Levi 20. Hohepa Puru 21. Xavier Savage 22. Clay Webb
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
He was excellent.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
As I see it, Jimmmy, most of their passes are ot crisp or direct.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
As a Cowbies fan im looking forward to seeing them re-set some things.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining the blog tonight. I will be back tomorrow night for the Eels and Warriors
Muzz Manyana
Roar Rookie
That was Lomax’s best game this year. For once he actually looked interested.
David Holden
Roar Guru
The Dragons will pick up 2 points via the bye next weekend. Canberra do the same so this was a 4 point game for them
David Holden
Roar Guru
That was brave effort from the Dragons, with only one player left on the bench late in the second half. The Dragons right edge of Amone, Lomax and Ravalawa caused plenty of problems for the Raiders. However Kris' winning try showcased the Dragons problem in defence. Until they get that right, they won't win many games of football
Phil
Roar Rookie
A decent 2nd half from Saints but just not enough. Canberra, having conceded 431 points so far this year are not premiership material but good enough to beat Saints.
Dodgy Dragons
Roar Rookie
Good effort dragons. It’s a shame our defence is so weak. We could be a half decent team if we could tackle. Not good for the raiders, they are just making up the numbers, can only seem to score try’s off kicks in recent weeks. Running a couple in over the dragons is nothing to get excited about, our defence is wafer thin
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Thanks David, it turned out to be a better game than expected. Dragons put in a creditable effort, in attack, but, gee, their tackling needs work.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Congrats Raiders, deserved. But the Dragons were really good with the ball in h2. I've made fun of Lomax a bit but boy he was fantastic tonight. There is some flicker of hope there fellas.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Thanks for the call, David. The Dragons aren't coming last and now have a bye. Always look at the bright side...
David Holden
Roar Guru
FULL TIME RAIDERS DEFEAT DRAGONS 36-26
David Holden
Roar Guru
80' Amone with the grubber and Woolford knocks it dead. That will be full time Dragons 26 Raiders 36
David Holden
Roar Guru
79' Lawrie goes forward. Amone finds Frank. Shift right to Lomax and the Raiders are offside Dragons 26 Raiders 36
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
The first pass from the 9 is crucial especially after a break or a quick ptb. The Dragons don't have that.
David Holden
Roar Guru
78' Feagai with a carry. Frank with a good run. Shift left to Burns. Kick with Couchman and it has been ruled a handover. Dragons challenge and it successful. 6 more for the Dragons Dragons 26 Raiders 36
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Dragons slow, sloppy passing is really costing them.
David Holden
Roar Guru
77' Hopoate with a carry. Young follows. Early kick with Lomax Dragons 26 Raiders 36
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Well I've really enjoyed this second half . The Dragons playing some footy ! How good is that.